Chelsea have supposedly been given the green light to make an approach for Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon international endured a largely successful stint in the Premier League with Arsenal before being stripped of the captaincy following multiple disciplinary breaches.
Aubameyang's contract was terminated to allow him to move to Barcelona, where he registered 13 goals in 23 outings during his first half-season under Xavi.
Barcelona have reinforced their attack this summer with the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, as well as tying Ousmane Dembele down to a contract extension.
Aubameyang is therefore fighting an uphill battle to retain his spot in the Blaugrana XI during the 2022-23 season, and he was named on the bench for Saturday's La Liga opener with Rayo Vallecano.
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Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dembele were chosen to form the front three at Camp Nou, with Aubameyang only coming on for the final eight minutes of that 0-0 draw.
A return to the Premier League with Chelsea has been mooted for the 33-year-old, and according to PA - via The Independent - Barcelona are open to doing business with the Blues.
The report adds that it would likely take at least £20m for Barcelona to sanction a permanent exit, but Chelsea could instead offer to pay Aubameyang's wages in full during a loan spell.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel worked with Aubameyang during their time at Borussia Dortmund and recently talked up his relationship with the striker amid the ongoing speculation.
"I enjoyed a lot working with him, it was a pleasure. This has nothing to do with the situation now, but some players stay your players because you were very, very close and Auba is one of those players," Tuchel told reporters.
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"We had a very close relationship. Always when he played here with Arsenal, it was straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way and Auba is one of those players."
Aubameyang's contract with the Catalan giants still has three years left to run, but there could be some high-profile outgoings from Camp Nou in the next couple of weeks.
Barcelona managed to register four of their five signings in time for the start of the La Liga season, but Jules Kounde has not yet been approved for competitive action.
La Blaugrana will reportedly need to either trim their wage bill or make further sales before signing the Frenchman up, and Aubameyang is also believed to have been offered to Manchester United.
However, Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag supposedly has reservations over a move for the ex-Arsenal man, who scored 68 Premier League goals during his time at Arsenal.
Chelsea have already added Raheem Sterling to their attacking ranks this summer and have also been credited with an interest in another Barca man in Frenkie de Jong, but Man United are still said to be confident of signing the Dutchman.
Ben Knapton
